[Nothing-]

haha yeah we've all got our "things" with various games / jrpgs.  Mine was losing my Mass Effect 2 save file with ~100hrs after I upgraded to a new version Windows, and it erased all of my save files somehow.  I could never go back and re-start that beloved series even though it still holds a special place. 

 

These jrpgs can have really obtuse dungeon design.  I just breezed through a couple where you had to run from every battle or else you'd wipe, due to being stuck in mini form, and frog form.  Which a player might not have known or understood what to do without having that previous experience from playing FF4. 

[nightc1]

I'm not sure about all the ports, but this is why I kind of prefer emulation for the old games.  Keep save states... keep moving forward, maintain a few saves, and if something is too over the top difficult at least it's a bit easier to bail and start back and try some other strategy (or just go grind a while).  I know it's not the full experience of the old slog with these games, but it makes them a little more enjoyable for me.

[Nothing-]

I mean...the remasters and the newer versions of these games all have QoL fixes for all that stuff.  EXP boost, run speed, battle text and 'action visual' speed increase, auto-battle, save states, and other things that cut down on the draconian wiping and grindfest.  Going all the way back to FF1 on PSP.  They are easy now and much of the unintentional monotony has been removed or fixed, as it should be. 

 

For instance, going back and emulating Dragon Warrior 1 on NES mini a few years ago was a mistake for me;  the newer version is better.  I believe they greatly adjusted the exp rate so that you aren't stuck grinding ad nauseam around level 11-13+.  The exp gain scales much more linearly now.  You also don't get stuck wiping to OP monsters + unfair encounter rate in the Dragonlord's Castle (final dungeon).

 

The newer versions are always better; it's just the juxtaposition against how badly you want to experience the retro graphics. 

[beenaround]

I've put about 15 hours in FFVI pixel remaster, I could never go back to the original now. I say that as a massive fan too(still have my original snes cart,box,manual and inserts), it's just far too convenient to have quick saves and all the other QoL improvements. 

 

Ironically even with that I got wiped by Ultros because I forgot the tip to move Bannon to the back row before leaving the Returners hideout. 

[gospelman]

Yeah I also went straight to VI and have played to the point after the opera scene. The fact that they actually properly remastered to widescreen is great. The new sprites help a lot. The instrumental music is mostly very well done. My biggest concern going in was regarding sprint shoes. They completely added a sprint toggle to the game, making that relic irrelevant. I'm glad I waited on these to own the physical release.

[beenaround]

Yeah I also went straight to VI and have played to the point after the opera scene. The fact that they actually properly remastered to widescreen is great. The new sprites help a lot. The instrumental music is mostly very well done. My biggest concern going in was regarding sprint shoes. They completely added a sprint toggle to the game, making that relic irrelevant. I'm glad I waited on these to own the physical release.

Yeah the fact you can toggle sprint  and encounters just by clicking the analog sticks is extremely nice. 

[nightc1]

They definitely add some extra QOL features to these games.  But, I don't mind a little grinding and some of the slow paced wandering around for the nostalgia trip.   Like Dragon Warrior 1... played through it on NES classic (after many times finishing the game on original NES) and was perfectly happy with the experience since it's a really short game compared to later games in the series.  I'll still buy all the Dragon Quest games that come out on the systems I play on... but that's a special series to me.

[FlawlesslyFatal]

https://iffysonlines...oints-winddown/

Idea Factory NA will end loyalty program, last day for purchase to give you points is May 19, and you have until Sep 4 to spend them. When they roll out new online store on Sep 5, exising accounts and points will be nuked.

Sent from my SM-N970U1 using Tapatalk

[scorponok]

IFI's Spring Sale is now live.

[keyblader1985]

Couldn't put any of their digital games on sale?

[BoxPizzaBox]

IFI's Spring Sale is now live.

Nice, got the DERQ2 wall scroll I wanted, goddesses shirt, and a purple heart sweater which will probably stay in storage for at least another 6 months until it's remotely cool outside here. Added the canvas bag to hit free shipping and had $5.50 in pudding points. Senran Kagura x Neptunia Switch/Steam LE for $65 isn't bad, (I already played the game on PS4 though, myself).

[nitrosmob]

Tamayura Mirai is now out on Steam/Johren. As usual there is an 18+ patch on Johren for the Steam version. This looks like a moege about spirits and the MC is a sorcerer. It looks good enough and the game has a 20% off launch price.

 

Steam

Steam 18+ Patch (NSFW)

[nitrosmob]

Been playing some stinkers or very average games lately. Here are some thoughts on the 18+ simulation game Summer Memories along with the DLC (should have not bought the DLC haha).

 

Spoiler

First of all this is one of those simulation life raising games where you have 30 days spending time with your aunt and cousins and are some really young looking guy. He of course is a horn dog and has summer studies as well. Every main girl has a summer thing with some annoying mini games. They are all controlled with the mouse. Pretty much you click around to interact with people and have a skill system where you gain points by doing well in things and getting to know your family. This isn't ever terrible and looks OK for the most part. The UI is busy and ugly especially for the skills menu. It doesn't full screen well at all as well. Pretty much you try to win one over and have some adult situations while doing different stuff like homework, catching fish/bugs, some collectible card game and other things. Nothing is amazing and nothing is terrible. Interactions are shallow and repetitive as well, although skills can cause certain actions. Overall it isn't worth the money unless you really want a repetitive 18+ simulation raising game. I think playing as some guy who looks like he's 12 is kind of lame as well. I'm stopping this one and likely not getting to the DLC. Pretty much shows why I play my Steam sale games early for an hour and a bit, so if they are kind of average, bad or just not what I want to play I can refund. I should have refunded this and never bought the DLC. 6/10

 

Edit: I finished a first route in 3 and a half hours and my opinion is slightly better. It's still a grindfest for scenes/stats/points with repetitive actions, but there is more to the game than I gave it. The UI is still clunky, but there is a bit more to the characters/story. It's still a cycle of gain enough points in a minigame (100) to get to the next level and get the affection to max and sleep with them (actual sleeping) at night to generally trigger new scenes. I'd rate it maybe like a 6.3 or so if I gave decimal point values, but it still rounds down to a 6.

[62t]

[Vinny]

I hope it's for some of those older Atelier games... like Firis or Nelke. 

[TheKbob]

They've got to be rated T for Teen and be of high value currently on the aftermarket.

My shortlist would be:

Nights of Azure
Nights or Azure 2
Crystar (Has a sequel coming...)
Summon Night 6

[Nothing-]

I love announcements for announcements. 

[BoxPizzaBox]

Physical games have basically transformed into the figure market at this point. Not really a bad thing, just unexpected.

[Souffrir]

I love announcements for announcements.

They’re a little oversaturated for my tastes, I prefer announcements for announcements of announcements, those are still uncommon enough to feel a little special.

[TheKbob]

Vinny is the winner. I'll be over here enjoying my crow dinner.

[Vinny]

Vinny is the winner. I'll be over here enjoying my crow dinner.

Happy for Firis but wish it was Nelke instead of Sophie; Sophie doesn't seem like it's as hard to find as Nelke. 

 

Also pretty fucking annoyed that they're taking another around of pre-orders for Cold Steel III and Liar Princess but still haven't shipped my order from the original order. 

[shadowysea07]

Nelke was super common for a while compared to lulua which just vanished into the ether.

[srocky26]

Happy for Firis but wish it was Nelke instead of Sophie; Sophie doesn't seem like it's as hard to find as Nelke.

Also pretty fucking annoyed that they're taking another around of pre-orders for Cold Steel III and Liar Princess but still haven't shipped my order from the original order.

It’s not another round of preorders. They received their stock and have copies leftover to sell. Yesterday afternoon they said they’re shipping out the actual preorders now…

[Twilightsparkle]

Happy for Firis but wish it was Nelke instead of Sophie; Sophie doesn't seem like it's as hard to find as Nelke. 

 

Also pretty fucking annoyed that they're taking another around of pre-orders for Cold Steel III and Liar Princess but still haven't shipped my order from the original order. 

Got my shipping confirmation for Liar Princess an hour ago.  Give them a day.

[Vinny]

Ha, yeah just got my shipping notice.

[62t]

[62t]

[freshzen]

My potential July PA order is coming out to over $350, ouchie...

 

Zero Fire $52

Atelier Marie remake $50

Unmetal $45

Vengeful Guardian Moonrider $40 (was this $40 from LRG? I missed out on their preorder)

Trouble Witches Final $38

Celeste $34

Ghost Trick $30

Ed-0 $27

Space Force 1 & 2 $19

 

Probably gonna hold off on Unmetal though because it seems like kind of a rip off for $45, although the game looks cool.

[blueweltall]

Earthbound plush set is available for preorder

https://www.1101.com...friends_en.html

[Twilightsparkle]

Hana Awase will be released worldwide on October 26, 2023 for the Switch.  This otome game has 4 volumes that were previously released for PC.  It supports Japanese, English and Chinese.  These games are a VN with hanafuda battles.  The battle system has been updated for this release.  
 

https://www.gematsu....ches-october-26

 

Outside Japan it will be digital only like their prior releases.  
 

The physical box set is up at Amazon Japan, it is pricey since it is a set of 4 full games.  
https://www.amazon.c...uct/B0C59BC9CD/

 

You can also purchase the games individually.